laying with him in the dark,

do i click-click the wooden lamp

& illuminate the deep longings 

set in around my eyes, 

all

that rotted my heart to a cavity

.

who wants to see, anyways

. 

i should leave the light off,

let them trace 

my cheeks,

stay on the surface. 

is that enough? 

.

when is it time for them to come 

in 

& how do i know 

when they’re going to leave

(10/16/24)